THEGAYCAMPER
I’D LIKEMORE OF USOUT HERE.
I’m Justin, a gay packrafter from Alaska. Getting outside has changed who I spend my time with and what I do for work... pretty much my whole life at this point. Here I share some of those stories, along with queer outdoor groups, businesses and events I’d like more people to know about.
TheGayCamper’s Newsletter
An email when I have something worth sending.
An email when I actually have something worth sending. A trip I'm excited about, gear I keep using, a new story, maybe first dibs on something I'm planning. That's pretty much it.
No daily spam. No fake urgency. Unsubscribe if I get annoying.
THE POINT
I don’t want anyone spending their whole trip wondering if they’re welcome.
I’ve met a lot of the people I love through paddling and camping. I’ve also been on trips where I started watching how I talked and moved because I wasn’t sure how people would react to me. I want more queer people to get outside with people they feel comfortable around.
FIELD NOTES
Trips I actually took, things I learned the annoying way, places I'd go back to and the stories that don't really fit into an Instagram caption.
GEAR I ACTUALLY USE
The stuff that keeps making it into my boat, pack, car or suitcase. If I barely used it, it doesn't belong here.
FIELD WORK.
WORK WITH ME
Brand stuff, destination work and field content when the fit actually makes sense. No pretending I suddenly talk like an ad.
ABOUT
I thought I was going to be a teacher.
I definitely didn't set out to build this whole outdoor community. I got a master's in elementary education, so... clearly the plan changed. haha
THE LONGER VERSION →QUEER OUTDOORS
There are more of us out here than you might think.
The queer outdoor world is bigger than the handful of accounts the algorithm keeps showing you. I’m trying to make more of it findable.
QUEER-OWNED BUSINESSES
Gear, guides, campgrounds, food, travel and other outdoor businesses I’ve ownership-checked.
EXPLORE BUSINESSES → 02GROUPS & CLUBS
Hiking, paddling, climbing, camping and outdoor groups built around LGBTQ+ community.
FIND A GROUP → 03NONPROFITS
Organizations doing the less-visible work around access, conservation, youth programs and community.
SEE THE LIST → 04EVENTS
Trips, hikes, ski weeks, paddling days and other reasons to stop saying you need more queer outdoor friends.
SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING →